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When the U.S. Open qualifier is played Monday in South Bend, the only way Warsaw golf professional Ford Olinger will be able to play is if he walks the course - just like everyone else.
U.S. District Judge Robert Miller ruled that Olinger, who suffers from a degenerative hip condition, may not use a golf cart in trying to qualify for the U.S. Open
Reached at his mother's home this morning, Olinger declined to comment, saying: "I will comment at 1:30 this afternoon at Swan Lake. I promised the TV stations, USA Today and several others I wouldn't release anything until then."
Olinger attorney Douglas Lemon received the judge's decision at 2 p.m. Thursday. The judge wrote more than 20 pages in explaining why Olinger may not use a golf cart.
"He wrote a very thorough decision, a reasoned decision," Lemon said. "He's a good judge for good reason."
Two things influenced the Miller's decision.
One, he was afraid by allowing Olinger to ride a golf cart, the number of golfers who begin requesting carts for various reasons could overwhelm the United States Golf Association.
Two, because golf tournaments are often decided by small outcomes like one stroke, allowing one person to ride a cart could affect the outcome.
Asked if Olinger plans to appeal, Lemon said, "We have discussed that as an option, but we have not made a decision. We will make that decision over the next 30 days."
